Page 163 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Lycaenidae
DISTRIBUTION Africa, across southern and eastern Europe, and Asia Minor
as far as the Himalayas
HABITAT Grasslands, wastelands, parks, and gardens
HOST PLANTS Wide range, including hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), Melilotus spp.,
and Plumbago spp.

NOTE Plump caterpillar that feeds on flowers and seeds
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated

ADULT WINGSPAN
¾–1⅛ in (20–29 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
⅜ in (10 mm)
LEPTOTES PIRITHOUS
COMMON ZEBRA BLUE 161

(LINNAEUS, 1767)

Common Zebra Blue caterpillars hatch from eggs laid by
the female butterfly close to flower buds and flowers. They
feed on the flowers and later the seeds, and their complete
life cycle through pupation to adult eclosion and fl ight takes
between four and eight weeks, depending on the climate. The Actual size
fast-flying species is on the wing from February to October,

and there are several generations a year. The pupae of the final
generation overwinter.

Common Zebra Blues tend to occur singly and in small groups,
but large congregations have been recorded around nectar plants
such as lucerne crops. Despite its small size, the butterfly is a

strong flier and migrates over long distances, including oceans.

It is common across Africa, where the caterpillars are seen on The Common Zebra Blue caterpillar is variable
a wide range of host plants. The species’ alternative common in color, ranging from olive green to almost
white. The plump body is tapered toward the
name, Lang’s Short-tailed Blue, was given to a specimen that hind end. There is a central, dark dorsal stripe
was spotted in the United Kingdom in 1938. However, it is not and pale, oblique stripes along the sides.
The body is covered in short hairs.
closely related to the various “tailed-blues” and “short-tailed
blues” of the genus Cupido.